Final
Stars-Coyotes Preview
Nov 27, 2009 - 2:42 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior WriterDallas (11-6-7) at Phoenix (13-11-1), 9:00 p.m. EDT
A lack of offense has plagued the Phoenix Coyotes in their last two games. That hasn't been an issue when they've faced the Dallas Stars of late.
The Coyotes look to avoid a third straight loss while trying for a fifth consecutive victory over the visiting Stars on Friday night.
With 58 goals, Phoenix (13-11-1) ranks near the bottom of the NHL in scoring, and it hasn't shown any improvement this week. After falling 4-0 at Edmonton on Monday, the Coyotes lost 2-1 at Calgary on Wednesday for their third straight road defeat.
"It's starting to get a little monotonous that we can't score goals and it starts with me," said leading scorer Shane Doan, who has two points in his last eight games. "We're getting chances, we're getting opportunities.
"We haven't capitalized on an opportunity in so long. We have to be a lot better than that."
The Coyotes can start against Dallas (11-6-7), which will try to snap a three-game losing streak (0-1-2) at Phoenix.
The Coyotes won 3-2 at home on Nov. 14 to improve to 5-0-1 against the Stars since last losing to them in regulation, 3-2 on Nov. 15, 2008. Though the last five meetings have each been decided by one goal, Phoenix has nine goals in the last two contests against Dallas.
Though he didn't record a point Thursday after missing eight games with a lower-body injury, the return of star defenseman Ed Jovanovski should still give the Coyotes a boost. Jovanovski had five goals and eight assists in 16 games before his injury. He has nine goals and 19 assists against Dallas, but one point in his last four games against the Stars.
Phoenix forward Robert Lang, who assisted on Keith Yandle's fourth goal Wednesday, had a goal and an assist versus Dallas earlier this month.
Even with a struggling offense, Phoenix continues to remain competitive with Ilya Bryzgalov in goal. He fell to 12-8-1 with a 2.13 goals-against average after making 24 saves against the Flames. Bryzgalov is 8-5-2 with a 2.12 GAA versus Dallas.
Mike Modano had a goal against Phoenix earlier this month and added two assists Wednesday for Dallas, which fell to 1-5 in shootouts while concluding a 2-1-1 homestand.
"(Shootouts are) a big part of the game and we do put emphasis on it in practice," said Stars winger James Neal, who returned Wednesday from a two-game league suspension. "We've got to bear down and find a way to win that extra point. It's so big."
Neal has a team-leading 11 goals but none his last three games. He has two in six games against Phoenix.
Brad Richards added two assists for the Stars on Wednesday, giving him seven in his last three contests. He has a goal with eight assists in 15 career games against the Coyotes.
Marty Turco made a season-high 35 saves against St. Louis, but he fell to 8-4-5 with a 2.30 GAA this season. He's 16-13-1 with one tie and a 2.40 GAA versus Phoenix.
The Stars are 6-3-3 on the road and have won two of three away from home.
- -------------------------------------------
Dallas
0 0 2 --2
Phoenix 1 3 1 --5
-------------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Phoenix, Robert Lang 6 (David Schlemko,
Mikkel Boedker), 10:01. Penalties: S Upshall, Pho (tripping), 5:41; M
Hanzal, Pho (hooking), 11:46; R Lang, Pho (hooking), 16:03; S Ott, Dal
(interference), 16:49.
SECOND PE
Nov 27 11:24 PM - -------------------------------------------
Dallas
0 0 2 --2
Phoenix 1 3 1 --5
-------------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Phoenix, Robert Lang 6 (David Schlemko,
Mikkel Boedker), 10:01. Penalties: S Upshall, Pho (tripping), 5:41; M
Hanzal, Pho (hooking), 11:46; R Lang, Pho (hooking), 16:03; S Ott, Dal
(interference), 16:49.
SECOND PE
Nov 27 11:23 PM - --------------------------------------
Dallas
0 0 --0
Phoenix 1 3 --4
--------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Phoenix, Robert Lang 6 (David Schlemko,
Mikkel Boedker), 10:01. Penalties: S Upshall, Pho (tripping), 5:41; M
Hanzal, Pho (hooking), 11:46; R Lang, Pho (hooking), 16:03; S Ott, Dal
(interference), 16:49.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2,
Nov 27 10:32 PM - ---------------------------------
Dallas
0 --0
Phoenix 1 --1
---------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Phoenix, Robert Lang 6 (David Schlemko,
Mikkel Boedker), 10:01. Penalties: S Upshall, Pho (tripping), 5:41; M
Hanzal, Pho (hooking), 11:46; R Lang, Pho (hooking), 16:03; S Ott, Dal
(interference), 16:49.
Shots on goal:
---------------------------------
Nov 27 9:40 PM
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